Last August, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed the state's "3-foot" bill into law, making it the 15th state to require motorists to give cyclists at least a yard of clearance when they pass. The Colorado law also makes it illegal to throw objects at riders. Louisiana adopted a similar law in June; violators can be fined as much as $50 for passing too close. "The true value of the law is not in its enforcement value, but in its educational value," says Florida cyclist Joe Mizereck, founder of the 3 Feet Please campaign.

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After one too many close calls with motorists, Mizereck, 55, designed a bright-yellow jersey printed with "3 Feet Please" on the back. The slogan was a hit with local cyclists, so Mizereck ordered more jerseys, launched a website (3feetplease.com) and began spreading his message across the country. "A change in motorist behavior will help make cycling safer," he says. This creates a virtuous cycle: As cycling becomes safer, more people will ride, and when there are more bikes on the road the sport becomes safer still.

Florida, in particular, has much to gain; 125 cyclists were killed there in 2008, more than in any other state. In addition to ramped-up traffic enforcement, police now use electronic road signs to remind motorists of the 3-foot law, and officers give safety summits for drivers and cyclists.

Safe-passing bills are currently on the table in nine more states, including Pennsylvania and Iowa, where supporters are pushing for 4-and 5-foot rules, respectively. The bill has its detractors. In June, Texas governor Rick Perry (Wheel Sucker, October) vetoed a 3-foot bill after it was approved by the state's House (142 to 0) and Senate (26 to 5). Perry claimed that existing laws already protected bike riders. But Texas cyclists recently gained a prominent spokesperson in Rep. Linda Harper-Brown. In August, Harper-Brown's granddaughter and a friend were hurt when a driver turned into their path and hit them.

"The first thing that went through my mind was, had this bill become law, maybe people would be more aware and a little more careful when they are driving around bicyclists," says Harper-Brown. "Now I can put a face to it. It really does touch home."